ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will partake in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in India's Goa. SCO is an eight-member political and security bloc that includes Russia and China. According to statement issued by Foreign Office, FM will attend SCO moot at invitation of current chair, Minister for External Affairs of India Dr S. Jaishankar.

"Our participation in meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to SCO charter and processes and importance that Pakistan accords to region in its foreign policy priorities," FO spokesperson said.

Sources in Civil Aviation Authority said that foreign minister, accompanied by delegation will depart for Goa from Karachi via chartered flight.

Sources privy to development said that Indian civil aviation authorities contacted PCCA and finalised route for special plane.

Meanwhile, Bilawal held separate telephonic conversations with Jamat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam President Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Balochistan National Party chairman Sardar Akhtar Mengal.

He took advice from political leaders on his participation in meeting, being held in Goa. He took party chiefs into confidence over participating in SCO CFM meeting.  During telephonic conversations, political personalities apprised Foreign Minister of their opinion regarding meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 04 2023

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